Joseph Ward

Joseph Ward (1817 – 12 November 1892) was a 19th-century Member of Parliament from Marlborough, New Zealand.

Early life Ward was born at Tixall in Staffordshire, England. He was baptised at Tixall on 21 August 1817. He travelled with his wife, Martha, and her family; Henry Redwood and Francis Redwood were her brothers. He was a devout Catholic. Ward represented the Wairau electorate for five years. When the Marlborough Province split off from Nelson, Ward was elected onto the Marlborough Provincial Council and had continuous representation until the abolition of the provincial system in 1876. Ward's first attempt of getting elected to the general assembly was in the 1872 Wairau by-election, but he was beaten by Arthur Seymour. When Seymour resigned in 1875 prior to a trip to England, Ward won the resulting and represented the electorate from 21 June to 6 December, when he was defeated for Cheviot.

Death and commemoration Ward had been ill for a few months prior to his death, and for the last few days was unconscious. He died on 12 November 1892 at his home. He was buried in the catholic section of the Omaka Cemetery with his son Joseph and daughter Francis. He was survived by his wife, six sons, and two daughters.

Wards Pass, an alpine pass that lies between the valleys of the upper Acheron and Awatere Rivers, was discovered by Ward and his brother-in-law, Cyrus Goulter, in March 1847, and is named after him.